When I was in middle school, I was obsessed with the Nancy Drew mystery series. Couple that with my love of “Murder, She Wrote” and I was a crime junkie at age 12.
I was given my first Nancy Drew book by a relative. And what started as one book quickly turned into my need to read every book in the series. My mom supported my habit by buying me the another book each time I finished the previous one.
I decided to collect the entire series of 56 original books. However, in the midst of my collector’s hobby, the publisher was transitioning to a new edition of the books. There was absolutely no way I could have a mixed series of books. So mom and I were in a race to buy all 56 books so the covers would match. We were lucky and found them all … until book two. “The Hidden Staircase” was the elusive story that we couldn’t find in any store (and there was no Internet, Amazon or eBay back in that day). I finally found the second book in its original form from a friend. Mom gave me cash to trade for the book. My friend, who would rather have money than a Nancy Drew book, happily made the sale.
When I’m asked what physical possessions I have that bring back happy memories, the Nancy Drew books always come to mind. I kept them through the years, and they’re now on display in a happy corner of my new house.